Pregnant smokers 'fear being judged' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Pregnant smokers 'fear being judged'

1:20pm Friday 6th February 2009 in

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Pregnant smokers in Bradford are not seeking help to quit because they fear they will be judged, a poll for the NHS suggests.

Of 224 pregnant smokers questioned, a quarter said they had not sought help because of worries about being criticised.

Some 40 per cent said they had not admitted their habit to midwives or doctors.

A new campaign has now been started to try to encourage the 17 per cent of pregnant women in England who smoke to ask for help to give up their habit.

Smoking in pregnancy can reduce the amount of oxygen available to the developing foetus and babies of smokers are more likely to be born with a lower birthweight.

Lorraine Bradbury, a senior health promotion specialist at Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT), said pregnant smokers in the district should seek support from the NHS stop-smoking service and be reassured that staff would offer judgement-free help to all.

“Pregnant smokers need not fear being judged or criticised for smoking when pregnant,” she said.

“We understand how hard it is stopping smoking and have a team of friendly, trained stop-smoking advisors who can offer help and advice.

“Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for the health of both you and your baby and there are a wide range of places you can get support from across Bradford and Airedale.”

Research shows that smokers who seek support to stop are more likely to be successful than trying to stop on their own. For those who have tried to stop before, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available which greatly increases the chance of stopping successfully.

Bradford and Airedale’s stop-smoking service aims to contact women to offer them an appointment within 24 hours of being referred by their midwife.

However, there is no need to wait to be referred. People can call the Stop Smoking Service on (01274) 363559 to make an appointment or speak to one of the advisors.